Thursday 14 May 2015 15:53, UK
Netball Superleague side Loughborough Lightning have announced that Ugandan shooter Peace Proscovia will play for them for the next two seasons.
Proscovia, who is the first Ugandan to play professional netball in the UK, has signed onto a two-year Masters course at Loughborough University, which will see her combine sport with academia like many of her team-mates.
Loughborough Lightning finished sixth in the Superleague this season, with the goal shooter finishing the season as third top points scorer, with the best percentage of any player in the league.
Academically, Proscovia has enrolled onto a part-time Masters in Marketing and Management with the School of Business & Economics at Loughborough University. Prior to moving to the UK, Proscovia graduated from Uganda Christian University Mukono with a BSc in Business Administration.
Proscovia said: “Firstly I would like to thank Loughborough University for giving me this opportunity to come over, play here and get more experience. In addition to that I’m really so excited about the opportunity they have given me to do my Masters overseas.
“The people here are very nice, most especially the Loughborough Lightning players who have been so nice to me and we have lived like a family. But I must dedicate everything I have achieved this season to my coach Karen, who has been there for me right from the time I came here, and my performance has probably increased just because of her. I’m so happy that I’m coming back for two years and I believe my game will grow bigger and bigger!”
Of the announcement, Lightning Head Coach Karen Atkinson said: “We are delighted that Peace not only decided to play for Lightning for the next two years, but also further her studies here.
"Both on and off the court Peace has been an outstanding addition to the team, her work ethic and high shooting volume and percentages have contributed to Lightning’s improvement this season.”
“This is also great news for our growing partnership with Netball Uganda and we would love to welcome role models such as Peace to Loughborough in the future.”
Proscovia will now return to Uganda to link up with her international teammates ahead of Uganda’s first appearance at the Netball World Cup for 35 years.
Loughborough University was named Sports University of the Year 2013-14 by The Times and Sunday Times.
